England hopeful raring for a ruck with Tigers
GIN-LOVING England hopeful Michael Rhodes aims for the perfect tonic after injury as he plots a return for Saracens this Saturday against Leicester.
Teak-tough back rower Rhodes was named in England’s squad for the November Tests but missed out on selection before damaging a shoulder in December.
Rhodes, who has set up a gin firm with London Irish prop Pat Cilliers, believes he can still climb aboard England’s World Cup train, though time is short.
“Hopefully I can press my case again,” Rhodes, 31, told The Rugby Paper. “Eddie Jones is lucky to have a good group of loose forwards that he’s leaning towards, but if I can get back playing well, we’ll see what he says.
“Time’s running out before the World Cup so he won’t want to be chopping and changing too much, but you never know. It was very disappointing not to get a go in November but it was a good camp to be part of and it gave me a good insight.
“It would have been great to get a cap or two, but it didn’t work out that way and then I got a grade three injury to the AC joint in my left shoulder. It’s been six weeks but I’m pleased it didn’t need surgery and I’m in full training again now.
“It’s looking like I’ll be fine for Leicester this weekend and we’re getting into the final stretch, so hopefully it will be an opportunity for me.”
Having been beset by injuries in the past, Rhodes has followed former Saracens teammates Al Hargreaves and Chris Wyles into the brewing industry, with his Fines Master Gin already proving a hit with discerning south-east drinkers.
Rhodes explained: “Pat Cilliers and I grew up at school together and gin’s a bit of a passion project for us. We produced our first batch last October and it’s been really well received – we’re in over 30 outlets across southern England.
“When Pat and I played together in Durban we were in charge of the fines meetings for the players – hence the name, Fines Master!
“With the injuries, it is a good distraction from rugby and a great way of learning about business and prepping for life after rugby.”
Rhodes has no intention of retiring any time soon, though, as he eyes another league and Champions Cup double with Saracens.
He added: “We’re in great shape and, barring our international guys, we’ve not got many injuries and are pretty much fullstrength.
“We’ve got a full squad of loose forwards with myself, Calum Clark, Schalk Burger, Jackson Wray and Ben Earl fighting for the jerseys against Leicester, so it’s going to be pretty fierce in training this week ahead of selection.”